Effects of hot and cold compresses on muscle cramps, fatigue and hemodialysis comfort in hemodialysis patients: A placebo-controlled randomized trial

The study set out to determine and compare the effects of hot and cold compresses on cramping, fatigue and comfort in hemodialysis patients. This placebo-controlled randomized pilot trial consisted of 69 patients, stratified and randomly allocated to three arms. Two of the three groups formed were the intervention groups: hot (n=23), cold (n=23), and the other was the placebo group: control (n=23). The implementation of the study continued during 12 hemodialysis sessions for each groups' patients. One week after completion of the intervention, a follow-up session was completed. Data collection was performed at baseline (t0), at 12 intervention sessions (t1-12) and at follow-up session (t13) using the Cramp Episode Follow-up Chart, Piper's Fatigue Scale and Hemodialysis Comfort Scale. In both the intervention and follow-up sessions, cramping and fatigue were lower and comfort was higher in the intervention groups than the placebo group. Compared to cold, hot therapy group showed superiority over. Both hot and cold compress administration positively affected muscle cramps, fatigue, and comfort in hemodialysis patients, hot therapy was more beneficial than cold. Keywords: Cold Compress, Comfort, Fatigue, Hot Compress, Hemodialysis, Muscle cramp, Nursing care